MLB 9-9-9 challenge, explained: What to know about viral hot dog and beer trend coming to ballparks in 2026

MLB 9-9-9 challenge, explained: What to know about viral hot dog and beer trend coming to ballparks in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Nothing quite pairs with a baseball game like a beer and a hot dog.

Some fans, however, have taken that meal to another level: a challenge. In recent years, if you've heard the term "9-9-9 challenge," it refers to pushing your body's caloric limits a bit over the course of an MLB baseball game -- by way of alcohol and hot dogs, of course. It's certainly not a task created for light drinkers or eaters, but MLB has made it a more official in 2026 by bringing "9-9-9 challenge" meal options to different ballparks.

Here's what to know about the viral "9-9-9 challenge" created by baseball fans. MORE: The Sporting News' expert predictions, picks for 2026 MLB season What is the 9-9-9 challenge? The 9-9-9 challenge is fairly simple: consume nine beers and nine hot dogs over the course of a nine-inning baseball game.

The trend was created by fans in recent years, but MLB has also taken notice. For the 2026 season, Aramark Sports + Entertainment partnered with competitive eating star Joey Chestnut — famous for his hot-dog eating contest victories every Fourth of July — to make an MLB-sponsored "9-9-9 challenge. " The beer-hot dog challenge will be officially available as a package at six different MLB stadiums in 2026.